Press release
The Gambia Press Union has been informed of a disturbing news from journalists covering the ongoing Meet the People’s Tour of President Adama Barrow.
The Union has been informed that Sally Jobe of Kerr Fatou, Ebrahim Jambang of Gambian Talents Promotion and Landing Ceesay of Paradise FM have been physically and verbally assaulted by the supposed members of the delegation or supporters of President Barrow.
The incident happened Thursday afternoon at Janjanbureh-Lamin Koto ferry crossing point when the journalists began to film a protest by some members of the entourage who were not happy with a certain logistical arrangements.It was at that point that the perpetrators advanced towards the journalists hauling insults and eventually physically assaulted them.
Landing said he was hit on his chest. The phone Sally was using had its screen broken after it was smashed as she was taking video of a man who was insulting her parents.
Commenting on the incident, GPU President Sheriff Bojang Jr said: “When we first got the news, I reached out to the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the President, and the Spokesperson of the government to express our concerns to them.They both expressed regret over the incident and also apologised on behalf of the presidency.
Meanwhile, the GPU is disturbed by this and we are worried about the safety of our colleagues on the ground.
“We will continue to engage the presidency on the safety of journalists and make sure that the safety and security of journalists on the ground are guaranteed,” the president said.
The GPU calls on the authorities to swiftly act to investigate the matter.
